Gay rights backers seek new Kansas anti-bias rules

Gay rights advocates aren’t content with simply blocking a measure they believed encouraged businesses and government workers to refuse to serve gays and lesbians.

They’re seeking new protections against bias in hiring, employment, housing and public accommodations.

Kansas legislators begin the second half of their annual session this week.

Gay rights supporters will push to rewrite state anti-discrimination laws to cover sexual orientation and gender identity. They see a chance because the Senate’s conservative Republican leaders to declare a House-passed “religious freedom” bill dead earlier this month.

Conservatives still want new protections for people, groups and businesses refusing for religious reasons to have any involvement with gay weddings.

The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to have a hearing Thursday on religious liberties issues.